How to Prevent Clogged Drains: A Complete Guide

Clogged drains are one of the most common plumbing problems I see in San Diego homes. The good news is that most clogs are entirely preventable with some simple maintenance habits. In this guide, I will share the techniques I recommend to all my customers to keep their drains flowing freely.

Understanding What Causes Clogs

Before we dive into prevention, it helps to understand what causes most drain clogs. In my experience, the vast majority of residential clogs come from a handful of culprits:

• Hair - The number one cause of bathroom drain clogs
• Grease and cooking oils - These solidify in pipes and trap other debris
• Food particles - Even with a garbage disposal, some foods should never go down the drain
• Soap scum - Combines with hair and minerals to create stubborn blockages
• Foreign objects - Toys, jewelry, and other items that accidentally fall in

Kitchen Drain Prevention Tips

Your kitchen sink handles a lot of abuse. Here is how to keep it flowing:

Never Pour Grease Down the Drain

This is the single most important rule for kitchen drains. Grease, oil, and fat might be liquid when hot, but they solidify as they cool in your pipes. Over time, this creates a sticky coating that catches food particles and eventually blocks the pipe entirely.

Instead, pour cooking grease into a container and throw it in the trash once it solidifies. You can also wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing.

Use Your Garbage Disposal Correctly

A garbage disposal is not a trash can. Even the best disposal cannot handle everything. Avoid putting these items down your disposal:

• Coffee grounds (they accumulate in pipes)
• Eggshells (they create grainy waste that sticks)
• Pasta and rice (they expand with water)
• Fibrous vegetables like celery and asparagus
• Bones and fruit pits

Always run cold water before, during, and after using the disposal to help flush waste through the system.

Bathroom Drain Prevention Tips

Install Drain Screens

This simple and inexpensive solution can prevent 90% of bathroom drain clogs. Mesh drain screens catch hair before it goes down the drain. Clean them after each shower and you will dramatically reduce your clog risk.

Be Mindful of What Goes Down

Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed. Despite what the packaging says, avoid flushing:

• Flushable wipes (they do not break down like toilet paper)
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Dental floss
• Feminine hygiene products
• Paper towels

Monthly Maintenance Routine

Prevention is always cheaper than repair. Here is a simple monthly routine that takes just a few minutes:

1. Clean all drain stoppers and screens - Remove hair and debris
2. Flush with hot water - Run very hot water for 2-3 minutes in each drain
3. Check for slow drains - Address any slow drainage immediately before it becomes a full clog
4. Clean your garbage disposal - Grind ice cubes and citrus peels to clean the blades and freshen the smell

When DIY Is Not Enough

Sometimes despite your best efforts, you will encounter a stubborn clog. Here are signs that it is time to call a professional:

• Multiple drains are slow or clogged at the same time
• You hear gurgling sounds from your drains
• Water backs up in unexpected places
• You smell sewage odors
• Store-bought drain cleaners are not working

Speaking of drain cleaners, I generally advise against chemical drain cleaners. They can damage your pipes over time and often just push the clog further down. Professional drain cleaning with a snake or hydro-jetting is much more effective and safer for your plumbing system.

Professional Drain Cleaning Services

At Hydro Hero Plumbing, we recommend professional drain cleaning once a year for most homes, or more frequently if you have older pipes or recurring issues. We use camera inspections to identify the exact problem and the right solution, whether that is traditional snaking or high-pressure hydro-jetting.

Our drain cleaning services are available throughout Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Jolla, North Park, and all of San Diego County. We offer upfront pricing with no surprise fees.